Improvement in pole-ascen ding apparatus



NrrEn vSjrA'rEs :ATENE E ErcE. l,

GEORGE ELEMLNG, OE NEWl YORK, N. Y.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 100,613, dated March 8, 1870.

To all 'whom trudy concern:

Be it known that I, GEOEGE FLEMING, of the city, county, and Stateof New York, have invented a new and Improved Pole-Ascendin g Apparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had `to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

`This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for ascending telegraph and other poles; and it consists in an arrangement of rigging for hoisting masts up by the side of the poles, on the top of which masts are carried pulleys and cords, the latter hanging to the ground, by which cords with pulley-blocks are swung over the arms of the poles, through which pulley-blocks the cords of the platform are rove, by which a person may be drawnup.

It also consists in an `:improved rigging for attaching to the top -of the pole for suspending the pulley for the platform, for use when the pole has no arm at the top over which the cord can be swung.

Figure l is an elevation of the pole and riggings, showing the mannerof holding the mast. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same when the rigging is up. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a part ot' a pole, and the rigging used on poles not having arms; and Flg. 4 is a detail view of a part ofthe said rigging shown in Fig. 3.

A represents a telegraph-pole with arms B at the top.

C is a light mast, which may be either in sections c and c2, with extension-rigging for sliding the sections on each other to extend the length after it is raised, or it may consist of one light pole, if preferred. The lower end is provided with a point, D, to act either on the telegraph or other pole or on the ground as a step to prevent slipping.

E is a cord attached to the mast a suitable distance above the foot--say at or near the top of the rst joint, when made in sections. It is passed around the pole A and back to the mast, where it passes over a pulley, F, and

then lis taken in the hands of the attendant.l

This cord is adjusted when the mast is lying on` the ground, and at that time passes around the pole A at .the base or a short distance above it.v Thetop end of the mast being raised as high as it can well be by a man standing on the ground, the cord E is. then drawn up, and has such action on the mast as to force it up into 'a vertical position parallel with the pole, where it is" made fast by fastening the cord E, the part of which going around the mast is lowered away, leaving the cord I on the arm, by which a cord, K', havinga pulleyblock, L, in which the cord M of a platform, N, is suspended, is drawn up to the arm B, and secured by making the cord K fast to the vpole A at the lower end, so that the platform may be hoisted up for the ascension ofgthe pole by a man thereon, the platform being hoisted by a man on the ground and by the assistance of the one on the platform, both pulling on the part() of the cord M. After the object of the ascentot' thc pole is accomplished and the platform let down the cord K is loosened from the pole A and drawn back over the arm B.

For applying and securing the pulley-block L for the platform-hoistin g cord M to poles not having arms at the top, I have provided a cap, l?, of cords suited in shape and arrangement to be engaged with the pointed tops Ot' such poles by being dropped upon them from above, having a block, L, with the cord M ro've Vthrough it, a binding-cord, Q, a tripping-cord,

It, and atripping-wedge, S, attached as shown in Fig. 3, which cap I drop onthe top of the pole by means of the mast and cord I, the latter being attached to the loop T for suspending it. When it is dropped on the pole the cord Q is drawn down tightly by the side of the said pole, and made fast thereto at the bottom for holdingthecap against being drawn oftl by the action of the platform-cords M, it being adjusted to the opposite side of the pole A.

When the operator is about to descend from the pole he adjusts the trip-cord R over the top ofthe tripping-wedge S, which is grooved or notched for holding it, as shown in dotted lines S', by which, when ready for removing the cap, he pulls the top of the wedge down over'the pointed end of the pole after loosening the cord Q, throwing the bottom of the cap up, and casting the whole 01T, as will be clearly understood by inspection ofthe drawings.

The telegraph and other high poles are now commonly ascended by means of strong spurs attached to the feet and legs of the climber, and thrust into the wood on opposite sides as the feet and legs are raised or lowered, which is, besides being very laborious, very damaging to the poles, which decay rapidly in consequence of penetration of the rain, and the action of the air and temperature.

Having thns described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, with a pole or mast, c, either made in section and provided with eX- tension-riggng or not, of the arms G, pulley H, hoisting-cord E, and pulley F, all arranged for operation substantially as specified.

GEORGE FLEM IN G.

Witnesses J. J. DELANEY, GEORGE W. MABEE. 

